Howell, Farmingdale Taxes Below State Average

Howell's property tax bills remain less than the state average and the township's tax increase from 2011 to 2012 was less than the state average as well.

The $7,142.42 for Howell Township was less than the statewide average of $7,870.28 and the property taxes decreased 1.5 percent from 2011 to 2012, according to a Star-Ledger analysis.

In Farmingdale the $5,757.14 was well below the state average and was a 2.3 percent increase from 2011 to 2012.

Property tax bills actually decreased in 117 municipalities, and remained flat in 4 others.

The Star-Ledger reported noted that property taxes statewide rose 2.4 percent in 2011, the first year Christie’s 2 percent cap was in effect. But the trend of lower increases could be reversed because of Hurricane Sandy, according to the report.

In Manasquan, which suffered some of the worst damage from Sandy, local officials said the cost of rebuilding might drive up tax rates by at least 20 percent, the report said. To top it off, the tax base shrank as properties were washed away, according to the report. Towns are allowed to exceed the 2 percent limit on property tax collections for emergencies such as Sandy.

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